Recent reviews by Berthold

Played a bit, had fun, then I noticed the cybertruck skin. Uninstall.

simple idea, endless entertainment

Beautiful minimalistic yet detailed graphics, weaving not just the playable character's own story, but also - albeit optional - that of another two, as you explore a secret land full of fantastic creatures, although interactions are rare. Once you start, it's hard to interrupt your session, set aside some hours to fully experience this game.

Yes, technically it's a kind of walking simulator, using only movement keys and one for interactions, but has some side-exploration. It even introduces new "moves" in a good pace, so that even a new way to climb refreshes your controlling of the character, which usually consists of "make your way from left side to right side", with the occasional interactions or scripted events.

The occasional humor, including 4th-wall-breaks, provide a counterpoint to an otherwise serious and in some cases even dark story, especially during the "good" ending, unlocked by lighting all shrines. I did that on my first playthrough, although I don't think that's the intended order in which you should experience it, so I suggest ignoring the shrines at first to get the first ending first. I enjoyed the "surprise" of the second ending, but it could also be seen as a crass tonal shift.

Best 1,49€ I ever spent. Everything more would be a spoiler.

starts as a simple physics puzzler, becomes an epic analogy of humanity's achievements.

I think the "Just 5 more minutes" award was created for this game only, as matches only last 5 minutes - well, plus the goal recaps usually not skipped by at least one person and the open-end overtime in the case of a draw.

Whether unranked, ranked or in one of the fun modes, this game always makes you think "ok, this is my last match" - again and again and again, because you want to keep on playing.

Wonderfully drawn, with a haunting story that unfolds - the first third of the game could be considered the "tutorial", after which it really picks up.

If you're into story-driven games, you NEED to play Firewatch.

While the game's virtual version of the Shoshone forest in Wyoming in its realistic-but-not-quite, comic-esque look is beautiful by itself, the game really lives in the radio dialog between you, new fire lookout Henry, and your supervisor and nearly sole contact Delilah. Choose your words carefully and shape your relationship as tensions rise and the importance of your job becomes clear.

And then there are the secrets of the Shoshone which seem to be connected...

I do have some things to complain about:
The ending is anticlimatic, but I think I'll grow to like over time. It's not bad, just unusual for a game.
Also didn't like that while there are several items you can collect, all they do is show up in your tower on each new day, you can pick them up, but the only action is to put them in your backpack again.
Well, with the slight exception of you-know-who in the box.

Ja, die Story ist eher kurz, und mehr Hintergrund der 100 Basislevel. Es ist aber trotz des visuellen Minimalismus eine detaillierte und humorvolle bis politische Nacherzählung der Robin-Hood-Sage mit modernem Setting, inklusive Social Media, Streamen, und Flamen.
In Texten wird angedeutet, dass Volume im gleichen Universum wie Thomas Was Alone spielt, KIs sind verbreitet, gerieten aber wie die Menschen von England unter die Knute des Gisborne-Imperiums. Es wird wieder (kurz) auf die Identität und Selbstverantwortung der KIs eingegangen.
Das Ende verspricht jedenfalls noch mehr Geschichten aus diesem Universum.

Die Level selbst sind eine gelungene Mischung aus Puzzle und Schleicher, und der Level-Editor wird für großen Nachschub aus der Community sorgen. Ein paar kleine, aber nicht sehr störende Bugs sind noch drin - das Soundstück, wenn ihr entdeckt werdet, wird euch aber recht schnell die Musiklautstärke reduzieren lassen. Der Entwickler hat sich bereits im Forum dazu geäußert, dass das nochmal zu überdenken sei.

Oh, und natürlich wieder ein phänomenaler Soundtrack von David Housden.

Mixing Point&Click Adventure with 2D Exploration a la Metroid, The Swapper or Waking Mars. Very stoked, waiting for the continuation of this story.